The Second XI

Firstly, the wine

Two Pinot Noirs in a row but it has to be done. It is also proof that when it comes to wine, you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover or it's reputation. I mentioned last week that those Pinots from Otago were on the whole, more on the fruity variety but this is not one of them. I had this Amisfield Pinot Noir 2018 last week and it was earthy and quite full bodied which was right up my alley. Suffice to say that the bottle didn't last too long in the house once opened. It was really enjoyable and I definitely will be having an another bottle some time soon. Tip of the hat as well to Ashu for sending me a bottle of this for my birthday!

Ok. It is the holiday Monday here in Sydney and as I sit on the deck, enjoying the warm weather that October has to offer (before it turns gloomy and rainy later in the week), I thought it would be good to revisit an earlier post where I shared my first XI of memorable TV shows of the period 1980-1990 and post my second XI. (see the link below for the first list).

https://www.ramblingsoverared.com/post/let-the-debate-begin

There was a long list of shows that didn't make that initial list; shows that I am sure would raise a few memories for all. The criteria for these were that (a) they were on TV during the period of 1980 - 1990; not necessarily made during that time and (b) had some personal significance. Again, feel free to agree or disagree and welcome any suggestions or feedback in the comments section from where you have clicked from.

So here is the second XI (in alphabetical order)

Benson: Benson was a spin-off from a comedy called 'Soap' where the butler, Benson DuBois suddenly becomes the head of household affairs for the Governor (the cousin of his former employer in 'Soap'). The show centres around Benson's dealings with everyone in the Governor's Mansion; from the Governor's daughter, the crazy German kitchen head and Governor's Chief of Staff and the hilarious hijinks that they all get up to (as was always the case in 1980's sitcoms). It was a funny show and one that I remember watching with the family when it was on. Benson lasted seven seasons and definitely worth revisiting if you have a chance to go down a rabbit hole on YouTube!

Cheers: I don't think I have to explain Cheers for too many people as it was on the TV for eleven seasons. The good thing about Cheers was that while there was a fair churn of characters and actors, it was always funny and always enjoyable. It went from 1982 through to 1993 and made Ted Danson a household name. It also led to one of the most successful spinoffs in TV history in 'Frasier'. I remember watching Cheers on a Sunday evening as the last enjoyable part of the weekend prior to the prospect of heading back to school. It also led to millions of people (myself included) paying pilgrimage to the bar of the same name in Boston...and finding that it was nothing like the TV show!

Degrassi Junior High: This show reminds me of two things. One, that the ABC had great shows for teenagers during the week in those couple of hours after school and just before dinner and two, Canada has produced some great shows! This show was about a junior high school with the usual mix of different students who had to deal with the trials and tribulations of school. It wasn't a sweetly saccharine show either as it regularly dealt with the issues that were part of real life and generally weren't TV friendly eg; drugs, teenage pregnancy, AIDS etc. It was also entertaining for a teenager and one that would get you in for the suspense of the ongoing storyline...so much so when they all graduated to high school (and the new series called Degrassi High), I was sold.

Diff'rent Strokes: 'What you talkin' about Willis?'...I don't think I need to say anymore than that.

Doogie Howser M.D: Another show that I remember being on a Sunday night, was about a sixteen year old who becomes a qualified doctor and is a resident surgeon while still trying to maintain a teenage life outside the hospital - a completely realistic storyline!. I think I identified with it; not because I wanted to be a doctor but rather Doogie would always end an episode making an entry into his journal that he kept on his computer. Kind of tapped into the aspiring writer I wanted to be. It also introduced us to Neil Patrick Harris, who is without doubt one of the talented performers on this planet. Seeing him on Broadway many years later in the title role in 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' is one of the best things that I have seen on a stage...ever!

Family Ties: It was truly one of those shows that was enjoyed by all the family and one that you centred your TV viewing around whenever it was on. It introduced us to one of the iconic characters in Alex P Keaton and of course one of iconic actors of the 1980's, Michael J Fox. Incidentally, you can draw a straight line between Family Ties, Spin City & Scrubs...but that's for another blog.

Happy Days: I defy you not to have tried to stop a jukebox by hitting it with the side of your fist! I loved Happy Days but it is fair to say that it had a peak up to the point where The Fonz jumped the Shark; which is now an accepted term for going too far. The years of cousin Roger and actually seeing Jenny Piccolo were ones that could be forgotten. There were plenty of great episodes prior to that. The one where Fonzie is temporarily blind and Richie gets him to rebuild his bike by hand still tears me up. One question still remains to this day...WHAT HAPPENED TO CHUCK CUNNINGHAM??????

Here's Lucy: During school holidays in primary and early high school, a lot of time was spent staying at home and watching TV. During those times, Channel 9 would show episodes of 'Here's Lucy' which was my introduction to the great Lucille Ball. For a while, Here's Lucy was all that I knew of Lucille Ball and that was funny enough. Later, I was introduced to 'The Lucy Show' which made her a star. Watching 'Here's Lucy' is one of those childhood memories that never goes away.

Mother & Son: Garry McDonald & Ruth Cracknell delivered one of the best partnerships on TV with Maggie & Arthur Beare being on screens for six seasons over ten years. Arthur, the eldest son looking after his mother Maggie who would seem to straddle the line between losing her memory and making Arthur lose his mind. It was funny, witty & clever - all you could ask for from a comedy and it was a family favourite for a long time.

Sesame Street: Yes, you may ask why is this on the list as I would have been slightly too old to be watching Sesame Street. These were the golden days of Sesame Street and like a lot of Jim Henson's creations, worked on a number of levels at the same time. Many years later, I would be able to recite lines to friends such as "a loaf of bread, a container of milk and a stick of butter" & "you take the golden An and you put it in the tan van...and then give it to Stan" amidst much laughter (well, in my head anyway).

The Goodies: Another after school staple, The Goodies was one of those shows that was funny when you were young and became even funnier as you got older. Ickythump being a personal favourite of mine and it always left you smiling and laughing. The show had many fans as was shown when Tim Brooke-Taylor sadly passed away this year.